Novel method of knotless vesicourethral anastomosis during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Feasibility study and early outcomes in 30 patients using the interlocked barbed unidirectional V-Loc180 suture

Kevin C. Zorn, Hugues Widmer, Jean Baptiste Lattouf, Dan Liberman, Naeem Bhojani, Quoc Dien Trinh, Maxine Sun, Pierre I. Karakiewicz, Ronald Denis, Assaad El-Hakim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Our purpose was to describe the safety and feasi bility ofa running posterior reconstruction (PR) integrated with continuousvesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) using a novel self-cinchingunidirectional barbed suture in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP).Methods: Between March and October 2010, 30 consecutivepatients with organ-confined prostate cancer underwent RARP byan experienced single surgeon (KCZ). Upon completion of radicalprostatectomy, urinary reconstruction was carried out using2 knotless, interlocked 6-inches 3-0 V-Loc-180 suture. The lefttail of the suture was initially used for PR (starting at 5-o'clockand ran to re-approximate the retrotrigonal layer to the rectourethralis)followed by left-sided VUA (from 6- to 12-o'clock), whilethe right-sided suture completed the right-sided VUA. Assuranceof watertight closure with an intraoperative 300 cc saline visualcystogram was performed in all cases prior to case completion.Perioperative outcomes and 30-day complications were recorded.Results: All anastamoses were performed without assistance andwithout knot tying. Median time for nurse setup and urinary reconstructionwas 40 seconds (interquartile range [IQR] 25-60) and14.6 min (IQR 10-18), respectively. The need to readjust suturetension or place Lapra-Ty clips (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati,OH) to establish watertight closure was observed in 2 cases (7%).No patient had clinical urinary leak and there was no urinary retentionafter catheter removal on mean postoperative day 5 (IQR 4-6).Conclusions: Our clinical experience with a novel technique usingthe interlocked V-Loc suture during RARP for both PR and anastomosisappears to be safe and efficient. Using the barbed sutureprevents slippage and eliminates the need for bedside assistanceto maintain suture tension or knot tying, thus assuring watertighttissue closure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)188-194
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the Canadian Urological Association
Volume5
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2011
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Novel method of knotless vesicourethral anastomosis during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Feasibility study and early outcomes in 30 patients using the interlocked barbed unidirectional V-Loc180 suture'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this